English translations of Geistliche Lieder aus dem spanischen Liederbuche v. E. Geibel u. P. Heyse, opus 43

by Gustav Flügel (1812 - 1900)

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1. Der heilige Joseph singt  [sung text not yet checked]
by Gustav Flügel (1812 - 1900), "Der heilige Joseph singt", op. 43 (Geistliche Lieder aus dem spanischen Liederbuche v. E. Geibel u. P. Heyse) no. 1, published 1855 [ baritone and piano ], Leipzig, Merseburger
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Nun wandre, Maria, nun wandre nur fort.
Schon krähen die Hähne, und nah ist der Ort.
Nun wandre, Geliebte, du Kleinod mein,
Und balde wir werden in Bethlehem sein.
Dann ruhest du fein und schlummerst dort.
Schon krähen die Hähne und nah ist der Ort.
Wohl seh ich, Herrin, die Kraft dir schwinden;
Kann deine Schmerzen, ach, kaum verwinden.
Getrost! Wohl finden wir Herberg dort.
Schon krähen die Hähne und nah ist der Ort.
Wär erst bestanden dein Stündlein, Marie,
Die gute Botschaft, gut lohnt ich sie.
Das Eselein hie gäb ich drum fort!
Schon krähen die Hähne und nah ist der Ort.

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Beneath the number in some collections: Der heilige Joseph singt

by Paul Heyse (1830 - 1914)
1.
Language: English 
 Keep going now, Mary, keep going my dear.
 I hear roosters crowing; the township is near.
 Keep going my dear one, my precious gem:
 we'll soon be arriving in Bethlehem.
 And there you will lie down and sleep free from fear.
 I hear roosters crowing; the township is near.
 I know it, Mary, your strength is failing.
 You find your pains are oh too compelling.
 Keep on! We're sure to find shelter here.
 Roosters are crowing; the township is near.
 Mary, I wish you were safely delivered.
 To hear that good news what would I not give?
 I'd even give our donkey here.
 The roosters are crowing; the place is near.

Text Authorship:

  • Singable translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2000 by Peter Low, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
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Translation of title "Nun wandre, Maria" = "Keep going now, Mary"


This text was added to the website: 2003-11-08
Line count: 14
Word count: 112

Translation © by Peter Low
2. Die ihr schwebet um diese Palmen  [sung text not yet checked]
by Gustav Flügel (1812 - 1900), "Die ihr schwebet um diese Palmen", op. 43 (Geistliche Lieder aus dem spanischen Liederbuche v. E. Geibel u. P. Heyse) no. 2, published 1855 [ soprano and piano ], Leipzig, Merseburger
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Die ihr schwebet
Um diese Palmen
In Nacht und Wind,
Ihr heilgen Engel,
Stillet die Wipfel!
Es schlummert mein Kind.

Ihr Palmen von Bethlehem
Im Windesbrausen,
Wie mögt ihr heute
So zornig sausen!
O rauscht nicht also!
Schweiget, neiget
Euch leis und lind;
Stillet die Wipfel!
Es schlummert mein Kind.

Der Himmelsknabe
Duldet Beschwerde,
Ach, wie so müd er ward
Vom Leid der Erde.
Ach nun im Schlaf ihm
Leise gesänftigt
Die Qual zerrinnt,
Stillet die Wipfel!
Es schlummert mein Kind.

Grimmige Kälte
Sauset hernieder,
Womit nur deck ich
Des Kindleins Glieder!
O all ihr Engel,
Die ihr geflügelt
Wandelt im Wind,
Stillet die Wipfel!
Es schlummert mein Kind.

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by Emanuel von Geibel (1815 - 1884)
2. You who hover
Language: English 
 You who hover
 Around these palms
 In night and wind,
 You holy angels,
 Silence the treetops,
 My child is sleeping.

 You palms of Bethlehem
 In the roaring wind,
 How can you today 
 Bluster so angrily!
 O roar not so!
 Be still, bow
 Softly and gently;
 Silence the treetops!
 My child is sleeping.

 The child of heaven
 Endures the discomfort,
 Oh, how tired he has become
 Of earthly sorrow.
 Oh, now in sleep,
 Gently softened,
 His pain fades,
 Silence the treetops!
 My child is sleeping.

 Fierce cold
 Comes rushing,
 How shall I cover
 The little child's limbs?
 O all you angels,
 You winged ones
 Wandering in the wind.
 Silence the treetops!
 My child is sleeping.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Lawrence Snyder and Rebecca Plack, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
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This text was added to the website: 2003-11-08
Line count: 33
Word count: 115

Translation © by Lawrence Snyder, Rebecca Plack
3. Ach, des Knaben Augen  [sung text not yet checked]
by Gustav Flügel (1812 - 1900), "Ach, des Knaben Augen", op. 43 (Geistliche Lieder aus dem spanischen Liederbuche v. E. Geibel u. P. Heyse) no. 3, published 1855 [ soprano and piano ], Leipzig, Merseburger
Language: German (Deutsch) 
  Ach, des Knaben Augen sind
Mir so schön und klar erschienen,
Und ein Etwas strahlt aus ihnen,
Das mein ganzes Herz gewinnt.
 
  Blickt' er doch mit diesen süßen
Augen nach den meinen hin!
Säh' er dann sein Bild darin,
Würd' er wohl mich liebend grüßen.

Und so geb' ich ganz mich hin,
Seinen Augen nur zu dienen,
Denn ein Etwas strahlt aus ihnen,
Das mein ganzes Herz gewinnt.

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Confirmed with Spanisches Liederbuch von Emanuel Geibel und Paul Heyse. Berlin: Verlag von Wilhelm Hertz, 1852, page 10


by Paul Heyse (1830 - 1914)
3. Ah, the eyes of the lad
Language: English 
  Ah, the eyes of the lad
Have appeared to me so beautifully and clearly,
And something beams forth from them
That captivates my entire heart.
 
  If with those sweet eyes of his
He would only look toward mine!
If he then saw his own image therein,
He well might greet me lovingly.

And thus I give myself to him utterly,
Only to wait upon his eyes,
For something beams forth from them
That captivates my entire heart.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2015 by Sharon Krebs, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
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Translated titles:
"Ach, des Knaben Augen" = "Ah, the eyes of the lad"
"Jesuslied" = "Song of Jesus"


This text was added to the website: 2015-12-29
Line count: 12
Word count: 78

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
4. Führ mich Kind  [sung text not yet checked]
by Gustav Flügel (1812 - 1900), "Führ mich Kind", op. 43 (Geistliche Lieder aus dem spanischen Liederbuche v. E. Geibel u. P. Heyse) no. 4, published 1855 [ soprano or tenor and piano ], Leipzig, Merseburger
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Führ mich, Kind nach Bethlehem!
Dich, mein Gott, dich will ich sehn.
Wem geläng' es, wem,
Ohne dich zu dir zu gehn!

Rüttle mich, daß ich erwache, 
Rufe mich, so will ich schreiten;
Gieb die Hand mir, mich zu leiten,
Daß ich auf den Weg mich mache.

Daß ich schaue Bethlehem, 
Dorten meinen Gott zu sehn.
Wem geläng' es, wem,
Ohne dich zu dir zu gehn!

Von der Sünde schwerem Kranken
Bin ich träg und dumpf beklommen.
Willst du nicht zu Hülfe kommen, 
Muß ich straucheln, muß ich schwanken.

Leite mich nach Bethlehem, 
Dich, mein Gott, dich will ich sehn.
Wem geläng' es, wem,
Ohne dich zu dir zu gehn!

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by Paul Heyse (1830 - 1914)
4.
Language: English 
Lead me, child, to Bethlehem!
You, my God, I wish to see.
Who could succeed, who,
to reach You, without You[r help]?*
Shake me, so I’ll wake up, 
Call to me, so I can proceed;
Give me a hand, in order to lead me,
So that I can make my way [to You].

[Through] this [process], I’ll behold Bethlehem,
There my God to see.
Who could succeed, who,
To reach You, without You[r help]?1

From sin’s heavy sickness
Am I sluggish and anxiously gloomy.
If you don’t want to come help me, 
I must stumble, I must waver.

Guide me to Bethlehem, 
You, my God, I wish to see.
Who could succeed, who,
to reach You, without You[r help]?1

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2015 by Laura Prichard, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
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View original text (without footnotes)
1 note: this expresses an ironic tension that the singer cannot find the Christ child without being led by the presence of the Christ child.


This text was added to the website: 2015-12-27
Line count: 20
Word count: 121

Translation © by Laura Prichard
5. Müh'voll komm' ich  [sung text not yet checked]
by Gustav Flügel (1812 - 1900), "Müh'voll komm' ich", op. 43 (Geistliche Lieder aus dem spanischen Liederbuche v. E. Geibel u. P. Heyse) no. 5, published 1855 [ alto or baritone and piano ], Leipzig, Merseburger
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Mühvoll komm' ich und beladen,
Nimm mich an, du Hort der Gnaden!
 
Sieh, ich komm' in Thränen heiß
Mit demüthiger Geberde,
Dunkel ganz vom Staub der Erde.
Du nur schaffest, daß ich weiß
Wie das Vließ der Lämmer werde.
Tilgen willst du ja den Schaden
Dem, der reuig dich umfaßt;
Nimm denn, Herr, von mir die Last,
Mühvoll komm' ich und beladen.
 
Laß mich flehend vor dir knie'n,
Daß ich über deine Füße
Nardenduft und Thränen gieße,
Gleich dem Weib, dem du verzieh'n,
Bis die Schuld wie Rauch zerfließe.
Der den Schächer du geladen:
"Heute noch in Edens Bann
Wirst du sein!" o nimm mich an,
Nimm mich an, du Hort der Gnaden!

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Note: this is an original composition by Geibel, not a translation. The name Don Manuel de Rio is the name of a Spanish ancestor of Geibel's wife.

Confirmed with Spanisches Liederbuch von Emanuel Geibel und Paul Heyse. Berlin: Verlag von Wilhelm Hertz, 1852, page 12


by Emanuel von Geibel (1815 - 1884), as Don Manuel de Rio
5.
Language: English 
Filled with care I come, and encumbered,
Accept me, Thou refuge of mercy!
 
Lo, I come dissolved in fervent tears
With humble mien,
Utterly sullied by the dust of the earth.
Only Thou canst succeed in making me
Become as white as the fleece of lambs.
For Thou wishest to obliterate the defects
Of him who comes and clings to Thee in repentance;
Take then, Lord, from me my burden,
Filled with care I come, and encumbered.
 
Permit me to kneel pleadingly before Thee,
So that I may over Thy feet
Pour the scent of nard, and tears,
Like the woman, whom Thou forgavest,
Until my trespasses dissipate like smoke.
Thou who badest the crucified thief:
"Yet today in the enchantment of Eden
Shalt thou be!” oh accept me,
Accept me, Thou refuge of mercy!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2015 by Sharon Krebs, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
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Translated titles:
"Mühvoll komm' ich" = "Filled with care I come"
"Mühvoll komm' ich und beladen" = " Filled with care I come, and encumbered"


This text was added to the website: 2015-12-29
Line count: 20
Word count: 135

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
6. Wunden trägst du  [sung text not yet checked]
by Gustav Flügel (1812 - 1900), "Wunden trägst du", op. 43 (Geistliche Lieder aus dem spanischen Liederbuche v. E. Geibel u. P. Heyse) no. 6, published 1855 [ duet for mezzo-soprano and tenor ad libitum with piano ], Leipzig, Merseburger
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Wunden trägst du mein Geliebter,
Und sie schmerzen dich;
Trüg' ich sie statt deiner, ich!

Herr, wer wagt' es so zu färben
Deine Stirn mit Blut und Schweiß?
"Diese Male sind der Preis,
Dich, o Seele, zu erwerben.
An den Wunden muß ich sterben,
Weil ich dich geliebt so heiß."

Könnt' ich, Herr, für dich sie tragen,
Da es Todeswunden sind.
"Wenn dies Leid dich rührt, mein Kind,
Magst du Lebenswunden sagen:
Ihrer keine ward geschlagen,
Draus für dich nicht Leben rinnt."

Ach, wie mir in Herz und Sinnen
Deine Qual so wehe tut!
"Härtres noch mit treuem Mut
Trüg' ich froh, dich zu gewinnen;
Denn nur der weiß recht zu minnen,
Der da stirbt vor Liebesglut."

Wunden trägst du mein Geliebter,
Und sie schmerzen dich;
Trüg' ich sie statt deiner, ich!

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by Emanuel von Geibel (1815 - 1884)
6.
Language: English 
The wounds you bear, my Beloved,
Those [that] pain you;
If only I could bear them, myself!

Lord, who dares thus to color 
Your brow with blood and sweat?
“These marks are the price,
Oh Soul, to win you.
From the wounds must I die,
Because I loved you so fervently.”

Could I, Lord, bear these for you,
For they are mortal wounds?
“If this pain moves you, my child,
you may call them living wounds:
None was made from which
Life does not flow for you.” 

Ah, how my heart and mind
Ache from you anguish!
“Hardened with true courage
I happily pretend, in order to win you;
For only he who knows how to love truly,
[Would] die from love’s burning embers."

The wounds you bear, my Beloved,
Those [that] pain you;
If only I could bear them, myself!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2015 by Laura Prichard, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
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This text was added to the website: 2015-12-27
Line count: 24
Word count: 141

Translation © by Laura Prichard
7. Herr, was trägt der Boden hier  [sung text not yet checked]
by Gustav Flügel (1812 - 1900), "Herr, was trägt der Boden hier", op. 43 (Geistliche Lieder aus dem spanischen Liederbuche v. E. Geibel u. P. Heyse) no. 7, published 1855 [ baritone and piano ], Leipzig, Merseburger
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Herr, was trägt der Boden hier,
Den du tränkst so bitterlich?
»Dornen, liebes Herz, für mich,
Und für dich der Blumen Zier.«

Ach, wo solche Bäche rinnen,
Wird ein Garten da gedeihn?
»Ja, und wisse! Kränzelein,
Gar verschiedne, flicht man drinnen.«

O mein Herr, zu wessen Zier
Windet man die Kränze? sprich!
»Die von Dornen sind für mich,
Die von Blumen reich ich dir.«

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by Paul Heyse (1830 - 1914)
7. Lord, what does this ground bear
Language: English 
Lord, what does this ground bear,
Which you moisten so bitterly?
Thorns, dear heart, for me,
And for you fair flowers."

Ah, where such brooks run,
Can a garden there thrive?
Yes, and know this! A variety
of garlands will one weave there!"

Oh, my Lord, for whose adornment
Are these garlands wound? Speak!
Those of thorns are for me,
Those of flowers I offer you."

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Lawrence Snyder and Rebecca Plack, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
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This text was added to the website: 2003-11-08
Line count: 12
Word count: 66

Translation © by Lawrence Snyder, Rebecca Plack